24 September, 2010. Media Release. The planning for the national radio-thon on Saturday, 25 September, to raise funds for the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Fund is going well according to the Chief Secretary & Secretary to Cabinet, Busby Kautoke, who also chairs the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Fund Committee.

The Radio-thon will begin with an opening prayer at 9.00am led by the President of the Church of Tonga, Rev Dr. Tevita Feke Mafi, followed by the official opening by the Hon Prime Minister, Dr the Hon Feleti Vaka'uta Sevele. The programme for the next four hours will include: the announcement on air of donations received and names of donors; live on air interviews with Tongans living in Christchurch including Church leaders; short statements from representatives of the various business houses, Churches, Kava Clubs, Village Development Committees and Non-Governmental Organisations. Entertainment will be provided by the two Brass Bands from Tonga High School and Tonga College. The radio-thon will be officially closed by the Acting President of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga, Rev. Dr. Tevita Koloa'ia Havea.

Individual business houses have made financial and in-kind commitments to the radio-thon. Tonga Communications Corporation for example is providing complimentary telephone lines for use by the radio-thon as well as raising donations through levies placed on text messages as well telephone credits. Other companies are providing refreshments for the students that will be collecting donations on the streets, as well as general public.

The Tonga-NZ Business Council, an active member of the Committee, is planning to donate a container load of Tongan watermelons to the people of Christchurch. The export of watermelons from Tonga to New Zealand had been discontinued about seven years ago due to concern about fruit fly infiltration but the Ministry of Agriculture has since got its act together and the first shipment of watermelon is expected to leave Tonga in the second week of October. Discussions with Christchurch authorities on the offer of watermelons are ongoing.

The Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Committee hopes to raise at least $1 million pa'anga.